A little about me: I am 28 years old, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

I struggle with a metabolic system that runs on a snails pace. It's genetic, unfortunately and mostly related to the two diseases above.

Weight has been a constant issue in my life for the past 8 years. Last year, I joined SparkPeople and got really involved with a SparkTeam. I started eating tons of fruit, yogurt, salads and healthy snacks ...

A little about me: I am 28 years old, I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

I struggle with a metabolic system that runs on a snails pace. It's genetic, unfortunately and mostly related to the two diseases above.

Weight has been a constant issue in my life for the past 8 years. Last year, I joined SparkPeople and got really involved with a SparkTeam. I started eating tons of fruit, yogurt, salads and healthy snacks right away. Additionally, I worked out doing mostly elliptical training 5 days per week.

The results? I lost weight! I went from 250 pounds to 215 pounds.

Along the way it was really hard, I had many times where I would binge on "bad foods" and gain 10 pounds back, then go strict again, it was awful.

Then the unfortunate happened, I started having severe knee problems, to the point where I could not walk. Over the next 9 months I underwent rehabiliation, surgery, and more rehabilitation.

I allowed myself to become depressed, and during this time, I packed all the weight back on. Not being able to cook meals left me at the mercy of people bringing me food, which was often "fast food." I also couldn't walk most of the time, and when I could it was only to the bathroom and back. So no movement + fast food = fat again.

It has now been a few months since my surgery and I am slowly working my way back to normalcy. I can even wear 1-2 inch heels again! (Looking forward to wearing stilletto's again one of these days!)

My current regime is not very strict. Over the past 4 months I have slowly been making changes to my diet. For example, I use to drink whole milk, eat out at fast food places, have lots of pasta and basically eat whatever I wanted to.

Now, I drink nonfat milk and soymilk, eat fruit a few times a week, plan vegetarian meals, and watch my carbs. Eating out at restaurants is a big part of who I am. I have a stressful job, in school, and in a relationship. Eating out is often a way for us to reconnect, destress and relax.

Thankfully, I have learned that eating out can be okay! I research the restaurant online before I go to find dishes within my range; because I am diabetic, I can not eat more than 45 carbs per meal. Calories are another one I watch out for. I try to stay around 200 calories if I eat 6 small meals a day or 500 calories if I am eating 3 regular meals per day.

The change has been pretty easy for me this time, because I have been making slow and steady changes to what I eat.

Now that my knee is feeling better, I am incorporating walking the dog everyday, once around the block (it's about half a mile.)

I started this new challenge at about 250 pounds, weighed in the morning. I am losing an average of 1 pound per week. I would love for it to be a higher loss....but I realize that even a small loss, steadily, can work miracles.

If you have read this far, thank you. I am open to comment, support and questions. Please keep in mind that I do not log in everyday. :)

Hi, came across your page and had to message you. I nominated you as my Inspirational person for the day! I sent you a Spark message..please read and find out why I had to message you! Keep up the excellent work, MsFitness

hi ... thanks for stoppin by my page :) ... i've added you ... stop by my page anytime for a lil motivation. Keep in touch... Please know that it will be a tough journey... for i haven't reach my goal yet ... but the key is to never ever give up!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!